The 2026 FIFA World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey will draw on lessons from the horrific scenes at the Copa America semi-final between Uruguay and Colombia in Charlotte and be “really safe,” New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy told ESPN.
CONMEBOL has opened a formal investigation after Uruguayan striker Darwin Nunez entered the stands and fought with fans following his team's defeat to Colombia last week. The Uruguayan Football Union has expressed concern for the safety of the families of the players who were sitting with opposing fans during the match.
The scenes at the stadium have raised questions about the readiness of the United States and co-hosts Mexico and Canada to host the World Cup in two years.
But Gov. Murphy says MetLife Stadium has a proud history of hosting major events and will be safe for the World Cup final.
“Thank God that has never happened at MetLife Stadium,” Murphy said. “I have no information on what happened last week, but safety is paramount to us.
“Both general security and specific security for fans, for families, for players. We have never had that incident at MetLife. God willing, we won't have it, but we are taking all precautions.”
“We have walls, we have mobile walls [of security workers]We have a lot of security. I just want to say to people who are considering coming to see one of our games that they should feel really safe and confident that it will be a great experience.
“We just hosted several Copa America matches that went really well. We couldn't be more excited. New Jersey, New York City is a hotbed of passion for soccer. New York City is a global superpower. New Jersey has soccer in its blood. We're excited and ready to get started.”
Murphy, a former U.S. ambassador to Germany, spoke to ESPN in Berlin ahead of Sunday's Euro 2024 final between Spain and England at the Olympiastadion, and said everyone involved in World Cup planning will use Euro 2024 to learn valuable lessons for 2026.
“Every tournament teaches you a lesson,” he said. “We are delighted to be here in Berlin tonight and very excited to be back at the Olympic Stadium, where we have been dozens of times.”
“But of course we constantly analyze tournaments that take place in the United States or anywhere else in the world.
“There are always lessons to be learned and our hope is that we can take all of those best practices and put them into practice within a couple of years.
“I can't say enough about how good FIFA is and the collaboration we have with them. They've been fantastic. And once again, every day we learn something new. And today is no exception.”
